KANGXI (1662-1722)

Details

A LARGE FAMILLE VERTE 'DRAGON-BOAT' JAR AND COVER
Kangxi (1662-1722)
Finely and brilliantly enamelled with a continuous scene around the ovoid body depicting the Emperor and his consort seated in the Imperial 'dragon' boat being pulled along the banks of a river in the Imperial Pleasure Garden by twelve court ladies, another standing at the stern of the boat steering with a long curved oar, numerous other female figures in attendance to the seated figures, one serving wine, one holding a fan and three others playing musical instruments including a flute and a sanxian, the boat depicted as an iron-red and gilt dragon, its head with ferocious expression forming the prow and a long tail the stern, from which a young boy swings on a trapeze, on the near bank a group of six scholars and dignitaries stand on a bridge watching the entourage, on the far bank ladies and boys peer from pavilion windows, the shoulder with a wide band of iron-red and green hexagonal cell-pattern reserved with panels of butterflies and flowers alternating with archaistic vessels, the domed cover with a similar cell-pattern band reserved with panels of fish and crustacea around archaistic vessels on the top, restored
21¼ in. (54 cm.) high

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

This subject matter is rare, although occasionally is to be found on large vases and dishes. The size and form of this jar is also rare; see an example with different subject-matter and lion finial, from the Peter Ralli Collection, illustrated by Gorer and Blacker, Chinese Porcelain and Hardstones, London, 1911, vol.I, plate 106.

More from Chinese Ceramics & Chinese Export Ceramics & Works of Art

View All